Police said a man dropped off the boy at Fire Station No. 17 at 34th Street and The Paseo, telling firefighters that he could no longer care for the child.

"For whatever reason, I think they expressed that they were unable to care for that child and left the child at the fire station," said James Garrett, a battalion chief with the Kansas City Fire Department.

The boy was taken to a hospital to be checked over. Authorities said a social worker was called.

Kansas City police said the boy is in the custody of his mother.

Kansas and Missouri have Safe Haven laws for overwhelmed parents, but they only apply to children less than a year old.

The infants can be dropped off at hospitals, fire stations or other safe havens without fear of prosecution.

KMBC's Peggy Breit reported that the laws are meant to be an alternative to abuse or abandonment.

In this case, because the boy is 6 years old, the law does not apply. Police said it is unclear whether charges will be filed.